An interventional study of Open reduction and plate osteosynthesis and Conservative treatment with early mobilisation in Olecranon Fracture, sponsored by Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona. Recruiting at 1 site in Switzerland. Open to participants aged 65 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-09.
Sponsored by Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study takes place in one hospital and uses a random method to divide patients into groups. It looks at the best way to treat a broken elbow (specifically, a displaced olecranon fracture) in older adults who don't use their arms heavily. There are 84 patients in total, with 42 people in each group
Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona is the lead sponsor of 37 studies on the registry; 18 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion criteria:
Open reduction and plate osteosynthesis. The surgical treatment will be performed with a direct approach to the olecranon using a locking compression plate.
Procedure: Open reduction and plate osteosynthesis
Standard rehabilitation with optional upper arm sling for comfort for 2 weeks and progressive mobilization protocol
Other: Conservative treatment with early mobilisation
A cut is made along the back of the elbow to reach the broken bone. The surgeon carefully moves tissues aside and protects nearby nerves. The broken bone is cleaned, realigned, and held in place with a special metal plate and screws. This helps support the bone, especially in older patients with fragile bones. The surgeon checks the placement using live X-ray and moves the arm to ensure stability. The area is then closed with stitches, bandaged, and sometimes supported with a light splint. Recovery starts early, with gentle exercises to regain movement while protecting the repair.
Conservativel treatment usually involves wearing a sling or light support for about two weeks to manage pain. After that, the patient begins gentle, supervised arm movements to prevent stiffness and muscle loss. As the pain improves, exercises become more active and focused on regaining strength. The goal is to let the bone heal while keeping the elbow working well.
between-group difference in the Oxford Elbow Score (Italian Version) with the subscales Function, Pain, and Social-Psychological
the Oxford Elbow Score is a patient-reported outcome measure specifically developed to evaluate elbow function. It includes 12 items divided into three domains: elbow pain, elbow function, and social-psychological impact. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale, and domain scores can be summed to obtain an overall score, where higher values indicate better outcomes. It is validated for use in both clinical and research settings and is sensitive to change, making it suitable for assessing treatment effects in patients with elbow disorders
Time frame: 6 months after injury
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Olecranon Fracture
Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona